Mail-pouch lock.



G. S. RIGKARIL MAIL POUCH LOOK.

APPLIUATION TILED MAY 6, 1911.

1,062,506. Patented May 20, 1913.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

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U. S. RIGKARD.

MAIL POUCH LOCK.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 6, 1911.

1,062,506. Patented May 20, 1913.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2,

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G. S. RIGKARD.

.MAIL POUCH LOCK.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 6, 1911.

1,062,506. Patented May 20, 1913.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

Qwuwwtoz lid UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES S. RICKARlD, 0E TRAVERSE CITY, MICHIGAN.

MAIL-POUCH LOCK.

Application filed May 6, 1911.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, CHARLES S. RIGKARD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Traverse City, in the county of Grand Traverse and State of Michigan, have invented new and useful Improvements in Mail-Pouch Locks, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in mail bags, and particularly to the securing means for the said bags.

The object of the invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive contrivance which may be attached to any ordinary mail bags or sacks, which will effectively and securely close the open mouth of the sack and which provides means whereby a removable tag is connected with the device so that the destination of the bag is permanently disclosed.

With the above object in view, and others which will appear as the. nature of the invention progresses, the improvement resides in the novel construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

In the drawings accompanying this specification there has been illustrated a simple and approved device constructed in accordance with the present invention, it being understood, however, that the showing therein is merely illustrative and that minor de tails of construction, as to size, proportion, shape, material, etc., which fall within the scope of the appended claims may be resorted to if desired without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

In the drawings,Figure 1 is a perspective view of a mail bag provided with my improvement. Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken through the same. Fig. 3 is a detail view looking toward the interior of the bag. Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the lock, the upper casing being removed. Fig. 5 is a reverse view of the plate 48, with the tumblers 37 and 49 thereon. Fig. 6 is a view, similar to Fig. 4, but showing the key within the lock and the locking bolt actuated. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the upper plate and with the tumblers and operating members positioned thereon. ig. 8 is a detail perspective view of the member 27. Fig. 9 is a similar view of the detent. Fig. 10 is a similar view of the locking bolt. Fig. 11 is a similar view of the back plate. Fig. 12 is a similar view of the lower por- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 20, 1913.

Serial No. 625,426.

tion of the lock casing. Fig. 13 is a similar view of the top plate for the casing. Fig. 14 is a perspective View of the key.

Like numerals of reference designate cor responding parts throughout.

In the drawings, the mail bag is designated by the numeral 1. This bag may be of any desired or preferred construction, and the said bag adjacent its open mouth is provided with reinforcing members arranged upon both its inner and outer faces. The numerals 3 designate the eyelets which pass through the said reinforcing members and the bag. These eyelets, two in number, have their faces within the bag reinforced through the medium of a suitable plate 3'. Pivotally connected with the plate 3 is a locking element 4. This element 4 comprises a member having curved edges which are arranged diametrically opposite each other, the remaining portions of the said element being slitted and inturned to pro-- vide fingers 5. i

The numeral 6 designates the strap which is adapted to surround and close the mouth of the bag. This strap is provided with a staple 7, the arms of the said staple being extended upon the inner face of the strap, and the said extensions being formed with slits or cut-away portions 8. These extending portions are adapted to enter the bag through the eyelets formed therein and the slitted or cut away portions of the extensions are adapted to be engaged by the rounded edges of the securing element, when the latter is rotatedin one direction. The staple may also be readily disconnected through the bag by the rotation of the retaining element in an opposite direction, so as to bring its rounded edges out of engagement with the slots of the staple. By this arrangement, it will be noted that a strap provided with my improved lock may be readily secured to or detached from any ordinary mail. bag. One end of the strap is provided with an eye 10, the same being preferably constructed of metal, and the said eye is adapted to receive a link 11, which is connected with the lock 12.

The lock 12 comprises essentially a lower casing 13 and the top or upper section 14. The casing 13 is centrally formed with an elongated opening through which the staple of the strap is adapted to project and to be engaged by the locking bolt for the lock, as

will hereinafter be fully set forth. The

lower casing 13 is provided with a plurality of posts15, while the top 14 is provided with openings adapted to receive the said posts. These posts, when connecting the top and bottom sections of the lock, have their extensions riveted, so that the said sections are effectively sustained one upon the other. Both the top and the bottom are preferably formed of castings, and both of the said castings have grooves 16 and 17. These grooves are adapted to be arranged one above the other, and the edges or sides of each of the castings is provided with upturned portions which are designated by the numerals 18 and 19, respectively. When the top is placed upon the bottom the eX- tensions 1S and 19 are adapted to engage with each other, so that the rear portion of the lock has its upper and lower edges spaced away from each other. The castings, adjacent the grooves or depressions l6 and 17, are horizontally flat, and the grooved portions of the castings are formed at a slight distance away from the upturned oifsets or fingers 18 and 19 with lugs 20 and 21, the said lugs being spaced only slightly away from the horizontally straight faces of the castings. The portions of the castings 13 and 14 beyond the lugs 20 and 21 are formed with off-sets or sides 22 and 23. The sides 22 and 23 terminate in angular ends 25 and 26, and the side walls provided by the ends are formed each with a substantially semi-cylindrical depression 24. When the castings are arranged one upon the other, the semicylindrical depressions 24 aline, and the said depressions are adapted to receive the U-shaped link connected with the strap.

The numeral 27 designates the back plate for the lock casing. This plate is of an approximately semicylindrical formation, and is of a width sufficient to snugly engage with the depressions 16 and 17 and to engage with the inner walls provided by the said depressions. The extremities of the back plate 27 are provided with opposite arranged extensions which contact between the lugs 20 and 21 and the sides 22 and 23 of the castings, and whereby the said back plate is securely retained between the castings. The back plate 27 has its rear portion provided with a centrally arranged rib 29, and the object of the said enlargement is to compress an identification card 30 to cause the longitudinal edges of the said card to tightly engage with the inner walls provided by the depressions 16 and 17. The card is inserted within the depressions 16 and 17 between the lugs 20 or 21 and the fingers or extensions 18 or 19.

One of the castings, preferably the casing 13, is provided with a stud 31, while the second casting is formed with a key hole opening 32 which when the parts are assembled is arranged directly above the said stud. The opening 32 is of a proper size and shape to receive the oppositely arranged bits 33 and 34 provided upon the key member 35. By reference to the detail figure illustrating this key member 35, it will be noted that the same is formed with an enlarged flattened head, the said head having its upper portion cut away to provide what may be termed oppositely arranged fingers, and these fingers are adapted to engage with the upturned portions of the locking element connected with the bag, so that the said element may be readily rotated to engage with, or to be disengaged from the projecting portions of the staple carried by-the stud. The casting 13 is provided with an elongated opening 36, the latter being provided to receive the staple of the strap.

The numeral 37 designates the locking bolt of the device. This bolt 37 is formed with an engaging head 38, the latter being preferably arranged at an angle to the body of the bolt proper, so that the said head will normally be retained in a position directly above the slot 36. The body of the bolt 37 is provided with a suitable opening 39, and this opening is adapted to be received by the stud 31 of the casting 13. The body of the bolt 37, adjacent its opening 39, is provided with a pair of spaced teeth 40 and 41, while the opposite face of the body is formed with an extending tongue 42. This tongue 42 is adapted to receive one end of a helical spring 43, the opposite end of the said spring engaging with a similar finger 44 formed upon the casting 13. The spring 43 is adapted to exert pressure between the locking bolt 37 and the finger 44,

so that the head 38 of the bolt 37 is normally forced over the opening 36. The face of the head 38 which lies normally above the opening 36 is rounded as at 45, so that the staple when inserted within the said opening 36 will contact the said rounded face 45 and retract the bolt 37 against the tension of the spring 43 and thus secure the staple of the strap within the lock. The locking bolt 37 is provided with an upstanding stud 46, and this stud projects through an arcuate slot 47 provided within the plate 48, which forms one of the elements of the lock. The plate 48 is supported upon three of the posts 15, the said posts being reduced to provide shoulders for the reception of the said plate 48.

The numeral 49 designates the detent for the look. This detent is pivotally connected to one of the forward posts of the lock and the said detent comprises a substantially rectangular member having a head 50, the latter having an inclined face and normally underlying the curved head 38 of the looking bolt 37. This detent 49 is provided with it I a depression 51, the latter serving as a pocket to receive either of the teeth 40 or 41, and for a purpose which will presently be set forth. The detent 49 is also provided with an upstanding pin 52, the same playing Within the slot 53 formed upon the head 54 of a tumbler member 55, which is pivotally connected to the under face of the plate 48. The tumbler 55 is also provided with a pin 56, the latter extending upwardly through a circular opening formed in the said plate. The plate 48 is provided with a key hole opening 57, which registers with the key hole opening 32 of the casting 14 and through which the stud 31 partially proects. 1 i

The numeral 58 designates a tumbler which is pivotally connected with the upper face of the plate 48. This tumbler is formed with a bayonet slot 51, and the pin 56 of the tumbler 55 is adapted to normally engage with the off-set portion provided by the said slot. The inner edge of the tumbler 58 is formed to agree with the key hole opening 57 provided, and the said tumbler is normally forced toward the inner edge provided by the said slot 57 through the medium of a spring 60. Two of the springs 60 are employed, and each comprises a resilient wire member which is coiled upon itself to provide an eye and the eye of each of the springs is arranged upon one of the pots 15. One of the leaves of each of the springs bears against the inner face of the casing and the opposite leaf of one of the springs bears against the tumbler 58, while the second member frictionally engages with the detent 49 to force the detent into engagement with one of the fingers 40 or 41.

The numeral 61 designates an operating member which is pivotally connected to the plate 48. This member is provided with an elongated slot 62, the same being arranged directly above but at an angle to the slot 47. The slot 62 is adapted to receive the pin 46 which is provided upon the locking bolt 37. One of the faces or edges of the operating member 61 is shaped to coincide with the wall of the key hole opening of the plate 48 diametrically opposite that portion of the tumbler 58 which is also shaped to correspond to the shape of the said key hole opening. By reference to the detail view of the tumbler 55 it will be noted that its headed portion opposite its elongated slot 53 is curved inwardly to provide a rounded surface.

The operation of the lock may be briefly described as follows: It will be noted by reference to the detail view of the key that the bits 33 and 34 thereof are slitted, and we will suppose that the staple is engaged by the locking bolt. The key is inserted through the key hole 32 and its hollow portion engages the stud 31. One of the upper fingers provided by the bit, say 33, is thus brought into a position to contact with, the tumbler 58, while the lower finger of the said bit is brought to a position to contact with the rounded face of the tumbler 55. A rotary movement of the bit will first rotate the tumbler 58 to bring the pin 56 out of the off-set portion of the bayonet slot within the path of the longitudinal portion of the said slot. The tumbler is rotated by the lower portion of the bit 33, thus, in turn, swinging the detent 49, it being understood that the pin 52 of the said detent engages within the slot 53 of the tumbler 55. This movement brings the pocket 51 of the detent out of engagement with the tooth 41. A further move ment of the key brings the upper member of the bit 33 into contact with the edge 65 of the extension or finger of the operating member 61 which swings the said member upon its pivot and causes the locking bolt 37 to be withdrawn out of the path of the opening 36. The spring 60, in the meantime, exerting a pressure upon both the de-' tent 49, and the upper tumbler 58 forces the said detent toward the opening 36, and brings its pocket into engagement with the finger 40 of the locking bolt, thus sustaining the said bolt away from the opening 36 and permitting the withdrawal of the staple from the lock. Should it be again desired to lock the staple, the said staple after being inserted in the opening 36 will contact with the head 50 of the detent 49 and will force the said head out of the path of the opening 36, thereby releasing the tooth 40 of the locking bolt 37, and the said locking bolt, under the influence of the spring 43, will be returned to its initial or locking position.

Having thus fully described the said invention, what I claim is 1- 1. A securing device for mail bags comprising a strap having a staple, a lock hingedly connected with the strap, a pivoted detent within the lock casing, a swinging locking bolt within the casing, means pro vided by the detent for sustaining the bolt in either a looking or unlocking position, and means for automatically bringing the bolt to a locking position when the staple has been inserted within the lock casing.

2. A locking device for mail bags including a strap provided with a staple, and means whereby the said strap may be removably connected with the bag, a lock pivotally connected with the strap, said lock comprising an upper and a lower casting, the said lock being also provided with a back plate having a bulging portion, the said plate being rounded and positioned away from the rear edges of the casting, and means provided within the lock casing for automatically locking the staple within the casing.

3. A mail bag securing device comprising a strap having a staple and a lock pivotally connected with the strap, said lock having its rear face provided with a compartment adapted for the reception of an identification card, and said lock being further provided with means for automatically locking the staple thereon, substantially as described.

4:. A securing device for mail bags comprising a strap having a staple and a lock connected with the strap and adapted to engage with the staple, a pivoted locking bolt within the lock casing, a detent also pivotally connected within the lock casing, means between the bolt and detent for looking the said bolt in either a locking or unlocking position, and means provided by the detent whereby the bolt is swung from an unlocked to a locked position after the detent has been contacted by the staple.

5. A lock provided with a card receiving pocket, said lock having one of its faces formed wit-h an opening, a pivoted locking bolt having an off-set head normally positioned above the opening, a pivoted detent also provided with a head normallylying above the opening, the bolt having spaced teeth, the detent being provided with a pocket adapted to engage alternately with the teeth, means for forcing the said pocket into on gagement with one of the teeth, and a key for retracting the bolt to permit of the pocket of the detent engaging with the second tooth to sustain the bolt away from the opening of the casing.

(3. A. locking device for mail bags includ ing a strap, a staple for the strap, and a lock pivotally connected with the strap, said lock being formed with a card receiving pocket, the said lock being provided with an opening for the reception of the staple, a pivoted locking bolt within the lock casing, said locking bolt having a curved head provided with arounded face, the said head adapted to normally lie within the area of the opening, spring means for forcing the head to this position, the bolt being provided with spaced teeth, a detent pivotally connected to the lock casing, said detent having a head normally lying within the area of the opening of the casing, the said detent being further provided with a head having acurved face, spring means for normally forcing the said head within the area of the opening, the detent being further provided with a pocket adapted to engage with one of the fingers of the locking bolt to retain the bolt in either a looking or an unlocking position, and a key for actuating both the detent and the locking bolt.

7. mail bag securing device embodying a strap, a staple for the strap and a lock pivotally connected with the strap, said lock having its inner face formed with a lock, the said lock having its casing provided with an opening for the receptionof the staple, a locking bolt pivoted within the casing, said bolt having its head normally arranged within the area of the opening of the casing, a spring member for sustaining the bolt in this position, the said bolt having spaced fingers, a detent comprising a substantially rectangular member pivoted within the casing, the said detent having an off-set head which normally lies within the area of the opening, a spring member for normally retaining the detent in such a position, the detent being provided with a pocket normally engaging with one of the fingers of the bolt, a plate arranged above the bolt and detent, bot-h the bolt and the detent being provided with upstanding pins, a tumbler having an elongated slot engaging the pin of the detent, said tumbler being pivotally connected wit-h the under face of the plate, the plate being formed with elongated openings, a pin upon the tumbler passing through one of the openings, the upper face of the plate having pivoted fingers, a tumbler having a bayonet slot which is adapted to receive the pin of the tumbler beneath the plate and projecting. through one of the slots of the plate, the pin of the bolt projecting through the second opening of the plate, an operating member pivotally connected with the face of the plate and having an elongated slot arranged at a right angle to the slot of the plate and engaging the pin of the bolt, the plate being provided with a key hole opening, the casing being also provided with a registering key hole opening, the casing having a stud arranged below the said openings, a spring adapted to contact with the tumbler upon the upper face of the plate for forcing the same toward the key hole opening, a key having double bits, each of said bits being bifurcated, and whereby the said key'upon rotation will first contact with the tumblers to move the pocket ofthe detent out of engagement with one of the fingers of the lock, and then swing the operating member to cause the bolt to be retracted away from the tumbler of the opening of the casing and to permit of the detent being moved by this spring so that its pocket will engage the second tooth of the bolt to sustain the said bolt in an unlocking posit-ion.

In testimony whereof I afliX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES S. RICKARD.

Witnesses GRACE M. SMITH, FRED R. WALKER.

Gopies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Pa/tents,

Washington, D. 0. 

